The Washington Commanders won't be landing Myles Garrett via trade after he signed a lucrative extension with the Cleveland Browns. Acquiring Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is possible, but general manager Adam Peters won't want to be left short in free agency.
And according to one NFL insider, Dayo Odeyingbo is a name to watch where Washington is concerned.
It's no secret that the Commanders need more on their defensive edge. Only Dorance Armstrong Jr. and seventh-round rotational option Javontae Jean-Baptiste are slated to return currently. That could change if Dante Fowler Jr. gets extended. Even so, that shouldn't prevent Washington from examining the top candidates set to hit the market.
NFL insider links Commanders to free-agent defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo
Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated highlighted Odeyingbo as someone the Commanders could consider when the legal tampering window commences. He fits the athletic profile Dan Quinn normally looks for in his edge rushers. The respected insider also believes a potentially robust market could see the player's asking price rise to around $20 million per season on his next deal.
Indianapolis Colts DE Dayo Odeyingbo’s a name we raised in last week’s takeaways. A super-sized edge, some team betting on the 25-year-old’s rise with 15.5 career sacks could wind up having to pay close to $20 million per year for him. The Commanders, who are looking for edge rushers, might be a fit.Albert Breer
Odeyingbo is gaining significant momentum at the right time. This is a gamble based on his overall career output. But there's no doubt he's got the physical tools needed to be highly productive in Washington with some extra polish.
Gaining three sacks last season doesn't exactly scream productivity. Odeyingbo managed 42 pressures, which is encouraging. Turning these into more quarterback takedowns is the biggest remaining obstacle to overcome. The former second-round pick also needs to refine his run defense to justify the hefty contract inevitably coming his way this offseason.
The Commanders have plenty of salary-cap space to make a big splash on their defensive front, especially considering veteran interior lineman Jonathan Allen's stint with the franchise ended with one year remaining on his deal. Hendrickson would be an outstanding addition, but it won't be cheap from a compensation or contractual standpoint. Odeyingbo comes with more risk, but at least Peters won't be sacrificing further draft capital to acquire him.
Fortunately for fans, there isn't much longer to wait before the rumors end and the moves are made. Legal tampering begins at noon Eastern Time on Monday, March 10. And the news will be coming thick and fast in the hours/days after.
Whether it's Odeyingbo or someone else, the Commanders need to come out of this period with someone capable of generating pressure consistently. That's the minimum requirement for Washington in its quest to ensure a remarkable 2024 campaign becomes the start of something special rather than a flash in the pan.
It'll be fascinating to see how things play out.
